Trump Co-Defendants Seek to Block Release of Special Counsel Report Citing Prejudice Concerns

Preview

Trump's former co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, have asked Judge Aileen Cannon to block the release of the special counsel report led by Jack Smith. This report is related to federal investigations into former President Donald Trump and his associates. The co-defendants argue that Smith lacks the authority to release the report because Judge Cannon previously ruled his appointment as special counsel unlawful.

The co-defendants' legal team has expressed concerns that the release of the report would prejudice their ongoing cases. They claim that the report includes a one-sided narrative that could unfairly influence potential jurors against them. The defense attorneys also argue that the protective order limiting their ability to discuss the discovery provided by the government remains in place, making it even more prejudicial to release the report without allowing them to refute its contents.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has stated that the report will be provided to Congress with necessary redactions to protect the ongoing cases of Nauta and De Oliveira. However, the defense lawyers have indicated that the redactions in the draft report they reviewed were insufficient and did not adequately protect their clients' interests.

In response, the special counsel's office has not commented on the matter. Nauta and De Oliveira have requested an emergency hearing to address their concerns and prevent the report's release until their legal issues are resolved.